How Our St. Francis Seraph Parish Nurse Collaborates with Other Health Professionals

     One of the great gifts of being a parish nurse in Over-the-Rhine is the opportunity to collaborate with other health care professionals as we work to meet the health care needs of our clients.

     “How do you collaborate?” you might ask. The following story may help to explain. Henry (not his real name), a frequent guest at the soup kitchen where Phyllis holds a weekly clinic, is mentally limited and has physical problems that require careful medication management. When Henry does not take his medications properly, he ends up in the Emergency Department to be stabilized. Phyllis Kemper, the St. Francis Seraph parish nurse, brainstormed with the social worker at the soup kitchen and the public health nurse who visits Henry about how to help him manage his medications in order to maintain his health.

      Several options were tried but were not effective. As the three health professionals continued to seek ideas, Phyllis learned about a special locked medication dispenser that might help Henry manage his medications correctly. The public health nurse agreed to set up the mediset weekly.

      However, the device cost $195.00. The next question was, “How can we pay for this?” God provides for us in remarkable ways. The answer came through a grant from a generous benefactor through the Franciscan Missionary Union; the grant provides funds for the unmet health care needs of the elder and infirm in our neighborhood. It was a gift to see the delight on Henry’s face when he reported that the mediset was working – he had not had a health care emergency in over a week!!!

While coordinating care can be challenging, the benefits definitely are blessings!